Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
HARRISON
A aron Taylor-Ladner was an even bigger dick than when I first met him at my interview. On a personal level, I loved big dicks—gay all the way—but in business, I didn’t mean that as a compliment.
His body language spoke volumes, even if he didn’t. I could tell during my interview that he was uncomfortable and irritated. Which was odd, considering I was the one being grilled. I didn’t recall meeting him in person before that day and yet, there was something familiar about him. It must be the college reference. Or maybe I was just looking for a commonality that wasn’t there.
No, the lock-jawed CEO of Taylor-Ladner didn’t succumb to my charm three weeks ago, and he didn’t now. Derision was written all over Aaron’s scowling face. He probably thought he didn’t need anyone to help him close this deal, and me least of all. The company tended to leverage their long-standing reputation, but no one partnered now simply because of an old family name. And, despite Aaron’s efforts to revitalize the company, revenue flatlined. They needed new partners and fresh ideas. Whether he liked it or not, we’d have to use a brutally honest approach to sell this deal (groveling if need be), and I was here to make it happen.
But a business trip didn’t preclude fun, so I decided to amuse myself by taunting my cranky boss. I wasn’t lying when I said he couldn’t fire me. Not for the next 344 days, at least. Should I be worried about needing Aaron’s reference for future employment? No. I already had a plan for my next adventure, and it didn’t include working for anyone else.
Eventually I’d win Aaron Taylor-Ladner over. I hadn’t clawed my way out of a dying Oregon mining town for nothing. Maybe I sounded glib at times, but I was far from that. I’d worked my ass off since I was ten, taking care of my three younger siblings when my dad screwed off and my mom was left high and dry with minimum wage employment. I helped with cooking, cleaning, homework, you name it. When I was a teenager, I took odd jobs around town, mowing lawns, cleaning cars, and pumping gas. As I got older, I worked at a fast-food restaurant, and I spent my summers tree planting. No matter what, I busted my butt, at school, and at home, seven days a week. I was born into poverty but I sure as fuck wasn’t going to stay there.
And my hard work paid off. I was the first person in my family to make it to college. To make it beyond the pines and the pits and the bleakness of that town. Now I played the corporate game in a fancy suit with a posh title, but that didn’t mean I was a different person. Hard lessons are learned the hard way. I trusted only in myself. Certainly not in Aaron, who’d been born with a diamond-plated spoon in his mouth. The man probably had someone to wipe his ass, floss his teeth, and tell him right from left.
Speaking of help, I wondered why Aaron didn’t have an executive assistant with him on this trip. With his position and bankroll, I’m sure he had several EAs, all on standby to do his bidding. I didn’t care either way, but it made me wonder.
I glanced at my phone and the picture I’d snapped of Aaron while we were in the back of the car. It was childish, but I couldn’t resist antagonizing him. The guy was locked up so tight I was pretty sure he’d snap if the wind hit just right. And wouldn’t you know it, the dickhead didn’t take a bad picture. His close-cropped beard emphasized full lips that didn’t suit the rest of his sharply angled face. Said face was pale, sweat dotting his forehead, his ash brown hair turning darker at the temples. He’d tried to tame his wavy locks, but whatever product he’d used, it was no match for the wind. But it was the violet circles under his amber eyes that caught my attention. Whatever. It wasn’t my problem if the guy worked himself to an early grave. He had enough resources to take care of his health. He had the best of everything. He didn’t have to work at all. Not like the rest of us.
And I doubted he looked beyond his own nose. Fuck, I nearly pissed myself laughing when I told him about the blizzard. Granted, it wasn’t expected to be anything more than a big storm with high winds and lots of snow. It was a ski resort town after all, so they were ready for it. Hopefully, the roads would be cleared out by the time we’d have to make our way back to the airport. But still, who traveled without checking the destination forecast? Apparently, Aaron. He didn’t believe me, but that was his problem, not mine. And now that we were finally here in Banff, we had a business deal to close, snowstorm or not.
I headed for the front desk, trying to outwalk my boss. No such luck.
A young woman greeted us with a fulsome smile. “Welcome to the Banff Mountain Lodge, I’m Lia, how can I assist you?”
“Hello, I have a reservation under Taylor-Ladner,” Aaron announced. “My assistant booked two suites.”
Lia’s smile faltered for a second, but I caught it.
Paying attention was a big part of my job. Listening, observing, and approaching people in a way that forged a connection. Not that I’d done that with my new boss. And given my experience so far, I didn’t want to get to know him. I’d overheard Aaron’s argument with his father the day of my interview. Aaron didn’t want to hire me, and his snotty dismissal grated on my nerves. I was going to get payback, one way or another.
“Is there an issue?” I asked Lia. “I’m Harrison Ducker by the way, a pleasure.”
“Nice to meet you,” she nodded. “I’m sorry to inform you that we’re slightly overbooked. Between the flooding on the third floor and the incoming storm, it’s forcing us to shift guests around and we’ve had to change your reservation?—”
“Are you serious?” Aaron snapped.
I glared at him. Didn’t anyone ever teach this city boy that you drew more flies with honey? Nudging his side with a sharp elbow, I turned to Lia and offered my best smile.
“You were saying?” I urged her.
“A pipe burst and flooded the third floor and several rooms on the second. We’ve had to shift people around to accommodate. That means that we’ve reduced your booking to one room.”
Oh, fuck.
“No,” Aaron started. “There must be another solution. I demand to speak to a manager.”
“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do,” Lia replied.
“The suite has two bedrooms, right?” I asked. “Or, two beds?”
Lia shook her head. “One bedroom. One bed.”
“One bed?!” Aaron shouted.
Several people in the lobby turned to stare at us. If I wasn’t so disturbed by this turn of events, I’d be laughing my ass off.
“It’s a king-sized bed,” she continued. “Plus, a couch.”
I could deal with that. It was only a few nights. A couch in a luxury hotel room in Banff was probably better than most beds I’d slept in growing up.
“No problem,” I offered. “That’s?—”
“Just great,” Aaron bit out.
When I glanced at him, I noticed the vein in his forehead pulsing hard. The guy was gonna stroke out for sure if he didn’t watch it. And arguing with the hotel staff wasn’t going to change anything.
“It’s not a problem,” I assured him. “I’ll take the couch. I’ve slept on worse.”
Aaron scoffed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
Judgmental prick.
“Or, we can take our chances and try another hotel?” I offered.
Lia cleared her throat. “You’ll have a difficult time doing just that. This is peak season, and rooms are booked up months in advance.”
“Shit,” Aaron muttered.
“It’s only a few nights,” I urged. “Like I said, I can deal with it. Unlike you, I’m not a spoiled princess.”
“Don’t push your luck, Harrison.”
“Luck? I’m stuck here with you, so clearly I’ve run out,” I bit back. “And enough already. This isn’t getting us anywhere. Let’s get checked in so we have time to recharge before the meeting.”
Lia avoided making any further eye contact with Aaron and I didn’t blame her one bit. None of this was her fault and Aaron was acting like a jackass.
“Please sign here,” she stated and offered the tablet to Aaron. Once he signed, she swiped two key cards and handed them over. “You’re in room 2666.”
“Take away the two and I’m in hell alright,” Aaron mumbled.
“Breakfast is six to ten every morning,” Lia continued. “The indoor pool is open until eleven PM. Room service ends at midnight. We’ll be sending you text updates about the storm and any potential impacts. Enjoy your stay.”
“I’m sure,” Aaron muttered.
Ignoring my dickhead of a boss, I nodded at Lia. “Thank you, Lia.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Ducker,” she replied and glared at Aaron.
There was a moment of awkward silence.
“I’m sorry,” Aaron blurted out. “I didn’t mean to snap at you, Lia. It’s been a long and very trying day. That’s no excuse, but I do apologize for my rudeness.”
Lia’s expression softened.
“I understand. And I do hope that despite the circumstances, you enjoy your stay here in Banff.”
“I’m sure we will,” Aaron nodded politely.
Man, I wished I was anywhere but here, but I guess it could’ve been worse. Then again, I’d never been around Aaron Taylor-Ladner before. I was already itching to kick his pompous ass. At least, until he apologized for acting like said ass. The real question was, how would I react after spending a night in the same room with him?
“The bar?” Aaron asked as he reached for his striped tie and tugged on it.
“20th floor,” Lia replied.
“Thank God,” he sighed.
“Is that your plan?” I asked. “To get drunk before our meeting? Because I have to say, that’s a shit idea. Unless your goal is to throw this deal away.”
“I don’t get drunk before a meeting, or at all,” he hissed. “I want one drink. And I never make anything but a solid first impression.”
I snorted. “Really? So far, you’ve acted like a three-year-old with a temper tantrum. It’s far from impressive.”
“I apologized for my behavior,” Aaron replied as he got up in my face, but I didn’t back away. “And I don’t have to stand here and take flak from a smarmy sales rep with capped teeth.”
“At least I know how to smile.”
Aaron’s mouth moved but no words came out. He turned on his heel and stomped off towards the elevator.
Hopefully, that was the end of it. My gut told me it was far from that.